Display device



G. WILLENS Oct. 13', 1936.

DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Nov. 28, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 13, 1936. G. WILLENS DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Nov.. 28, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ina/6,11%

ZflzZZ 67 w Patented Oct. 13, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

My invention relates in general to display devices, and has to do more particularly with automatically changing sign display devices in which a plurality of frames are provided containing advertising or other matter, and adapted to be automatically changed to successively display the matter supported by the frames.

One of the features of my invention is the provision of a device of the above character in which I provide a casing preferably of fiat rectangular shape for supporting a plurality of display frames with the casing mounted upon a horizontal axis and with the display frames so mounted within the casing that as the casing is rotated on its axis the display frames automatically shift from one end of the casing to the other and successively display the matter shown on the frames.

Another feature of my invention is a display device of the above character in which a clock is mounted upon the rotatable casing and having its mechanism automatically driven by the rotation of the clock as it is carried around with the casing.

In connection with the last feature referred to,

. I provide a novel form of clock which may be operated in the manner stated, independent of its use with a display sign.

For a better understanding of my invention reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a face view of the display device.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. 1, showing the driving motor for rotating the display carrying casing and clock.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section of the casing alone and without the supporting frame around the casing.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, showing a type of friction joint between the motor shaft and the casing shaft.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view along the line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a rear View of the clock mechanism.

Fig. '7 is a right end view of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 shows one of the frames for holding the display cards.

Fig. 9 is a sectional View along the line 9--9 of Fig. 8, showing more in detail the method of assembling the cross bars and rails; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional View along the line Ill-40 of Fig. 9.

Generally stated, I provide a casing A preferably of flat rectangular shape in which are supported the display frames adapted to be slidingly .55 shifted from one end of the casing to the other as it is rotated on its axis, the casing being rotatably mounted in a suitable frame B carrying a motor C for rotating the casing.

It is always desirable to make a display device most attractive, and particularly in some novel manner, and to this end I provide a clock as D mounted upon one face of the casing, which clock is of a novel construction so that its hands are driven by the rotation of the clock without the use of a spring motor or connection with an electric motor. This clock may or may not be employed, but when it is provided then the motor C is of the synchronous type so as to maintain a definite speed of rotation of the casing and thereby the proper timing of the clock.

In general in the operation of the device the opening IS in the face of the casing permits a view of the displayed matter, and as the casing is rotated in the direction of the arrows indicated at the top and bottom, that is with the clock end moving away from the observer, there is a shifting of the signs for each half revolution so, as the openings l5-l6 are successively presented to the observer, a different display appears each time an opening as [5 or IE is presented toward the front of the device.

It is to be understood, however, that the casing may be rotated in either direction, but when rotated in the direction of the arrows the observer does not see the shifting of the display frames.

Referring now more in detail to the preferred form of my construction as illustrated herein, I provide a suitable frame B having a supporting base I I, said frame having an opening l8 therein in which the casing A is rotatably mounted. Casing A is preferably of .a flat rectangular shape mounted upon a horizontal axis which extends through the flat way of the casing, and to this end a shaft [8' extends through the casing and is mounted in a bearing bracket I9 at one end and extends into a hub 20 of the motor C at the other end. This shaft I8 is preferably split at 2| and bent outwardly so that when inserted into the hub 20 it acts as a frictional clutch. Any suitable frictional clutch may be provided so that the casing may be rotated independently of the motor, or if it is stopped or inadvertently held while current is on the motor, it will cause no damage which might otherwise occur.

As previously pointed out, the motor C is preferably a synchronous motor when a clock is used with the device, so that the clock may maintain accurate time.

Referring now to the casing and the display matter therein, I provide a plurality of display frames E slidingly supported between two metallic channels 22-23 suitably secured against the inner side walls of the casing so that the frames may readily slide therein from one end of the casing to the other as it is rotated. These channels 22-23 are of a width to keep the display frames from rubbing against the inner walls of the casing as they move from one end to the other. At the ends of the casing I provide removable panels 25 carrying soft buffers25 such as soft felt pads against which the display frames rest. These panels 25 may be readily removed to permit withdrawal of changing the display cards carried thereby.

The display frames E are uneven in number as a total, with an odd number normally restingln the bottom of the casing and an even number in the top of the casing, with a difference of one, so that there is always a vacant space in one end of the casing as indicated in Fig. 3, into whichthe newframe may slide asthe casing rotates. Thus, assuming the normal condition as shown inFig. 3, as the casing is rotated in the direction of the arrows and as it moves forward we will say to the position indicated by the dotted line 24, the fra me 26 slides off of the stop bar I 8, which in the p'resentinstance is also the shaft, and then frame 26 moves over into the position indicated'by the dotted line frame. At the same time the frame 2'! moves over to themiddle position and lies against the frame 26 so thatwe have an open space at the place nowoccupiecl by frame 21. As the rotation of easing A continues, and after it passes a horizontal position, that is, say for ex} ample, a position-as indicated by dotted line 28, the frame 29 from the other end ofthe casing slides over into the position'now occupied by frame 21, thus exposing frame 30 before the opening I5 for display upon the next time the opening I5 is presented toward the front of the device to the observer. The continued rotation of the casingA now brings the opening I5 toward the front of the device and thereby exposes the display frame 26 to theobserver. I v I It might be mentioned at this time that the stop bar I8 is of a thickness to permit a single frame to pass by each side of the baras it shifts from one position to the other. In the present device where the space in the casing is of a dimension to take but three display frames, this stop If! is the width of a single frame. However, any number of frames maybe employed, in which case the stop bar l8 is of a width corresponding to the number-of display framesbetween the outerones. In other words, if instead of three frames as shown in Fig. 1, I were to employ five frames wide, then the stop bar I 8, would be the width of three frames, thereby providing enough space on each side for buta single frame to pass from one end of the casing to the other. I

As just described, I have rotated the casing A one half a revolution, thereby bringing the opening l6 and frame 26 before the observer. I also have moved frame 29 over into the other end of the casing into the position previously occupied by frame 21 as illustrated in Fig. 1, and with the frame 30 in front of the opening l5 which is now at the top and rear of the casing. As the rotation of the frame continues, and the opening I5 is again brought down into the position it occupied in Fig. 1, the frames shift in the manner previously described, but I now have the frame 30 exposed to the observer through the opening IS, with the frame 29 up in the position Occupied the display frames for observer; direction, but moving the top part away from by frame 21 in Fig. 1, and frame 23 in front of the opening 16 for the next exposure to the observer. Thus for each full revolution of the casing a different display frame is exposed for each opening Iii-l6, and by the continued rotation of the casing the frames are successively exposed and successively shifted or rotated around the central stop it.

With the casing moving in the direction of the arrows indicated in Fig. i, the shiftingof the frames takes place in front of an opening as It while it is away from the observer, in other words while the frame is moving from the position of the dotted line 28 into the vertical position, with the opening moving away from the The casing A may be moved in either the observer is the preferred direction, because when moved the other way the shifting of frames across the opening as I501 16 takes place while theopeningis exposed to "the observer and the observer sees what istaking place. If he does not see the shifting of the frame he only observes the different display frame each time without knowing when or how the change takes place. v l

Now as to the detail construction of the preferred-form of display frame, this is illustrated more clearly in Figs. 8 to 10 in which I provide a hollowor channelframe in which one or more display cards as 3-1 and 32 may beslid into position and readily re'moved for replacing the sign or other'advertising matter being displayed. I have found it desirable to employ'a frame which is light in weight and is well braced against collapse but at thesame time flexible in other respects. For" instance; assuming the frame is lying on. a table as in'Fig. 8, although it is very rigid against pressing diametrically opposite corners toward or away from each other, nevertheless it is plia-ble in otherrespects in that, for instance, if onecorner' is lifted up the frame bends or gives, but without losing its rectangular shape. Tothis end I' provide a construction consisting of parallel channelled sides 38-34 made of tin and providing a channel opening which receives the endsof the guide rails 35-35. Each guiding rail consists of a frontportion as. 33' and a rear portion as 36" flattened at the ends and having a tongue as 31 extending through a slot as 38 in the channel bar '33 and folded over so as to draw the edge 39 of the bar 35 against the inner face 40 of the channel 33. With the parts assembled in this manner I provide an opening 4! between the guiding rails 36-35" through which the display cards 31-32 are inserted. By this rail construction the display frames slide on each other on these rails as 35-35, and with the 1011- gitudinal edges as along 33 and 3d of the frames narrower than the thickness through the rails 36'-35" I find that these frames may be more readily shifted from one position 'to the other without falsely inter-engaging or being held against readily-sliding from one position to the other. Also, bythe use of these raised rails 35 the display frames slide on these rails over the stop bar l8, and in this way I always keep the surfaces of the display cards free from rubbing contact with other parts.

Referring now to the clock mechanism, as previously pointed out, I employ a device which operates without a motor drive, being actuated by the rotation of the clock itself as it moves around with the casing A. To this end I provide a suitable clock mechanism connected for driving the hands of the clock, and with this driving mechanism I employ a horizontal shaft 42 carrying an eccentrically weighted wheel 43 thereon in which the lower weighted portion of the wheel always remains beneath the axis as the clock is moving around with the frame A so that instead of turning the shaft 42 in the clock to drive the clock as is usually the case, I do the opposite in that I hold the shaft 42 stationary and move the clock around the shaft. Any suitable gearing may be employed for driving the hands, and the gear ratio depends upon the speed at which the frame A rotates. I have found that driving the frame two revolutions per minute is a reasonable speed and gives time for a shifting of the display frames and sufficient observation of the display cards and the clock. The gear ratio is such that with the frame traveling at two revolutions per minute the clock is properly timed.

For driving the device where a clock is employed I provide a synchronous motor of the kind ordinarily employed, wherein the motor runs in step with a controlled source of A. C. current, although if a clock is not employed any type of driving motor may be provided.

In the device as illustrated, I have shown a single clock D, but at the corresponding space on the other end of the casing I show a mirror 41. However, another clock as indicated by the dotted lines at that end may be provided, or anything else placed at either one end or the other of the casing as desired.

As to rotating the casing, this may be continuous or continuously intermittent; that is, it may rotate without stopping, or pause at each half revolution, so when I speak of continuous rotation it may be in either manner specified.

I claim:

1. A display device comprising a casing for carrying and separately displaying a plurality of display signs, means for supporting the casing and causing it to rotate bodily on a relatively fixed axis, a clock carried by the casing and bodily movable therewith on said axis, and gravity driven mechanism for driving the clock operated by rotation of the casing on said axis.

2. A display device comprising a casing, means for supporting the casing to rotate bodily on a relatively fixed axis, a clock carried by the casing and bodily movable therewith on said axis, display signs carried by the casing with means for automatically changing said signs by the rotation of the casing on said axis, and mechanism for driving the clock operated by rotation of the casing on said axis.

3. A slidable display card frame for use in a rotatable automatically changing sign display device including parallel upper and lower channeled bars, a pair of side rails connecting the upper and lower bars, each rail including front and rear channeled bars secured at their ends to the top and bottom bars and spaced apart for insertion of display cards between the rail bars into the top and bottom bar channels.

4. A slidable display card frame for use in a rotatable automatically changing sign display device including parallel upper and lower channeled bars, a pair of side rails connecting the upper and lower bars, each rail including front and rear channeled bars secured at their ends to the top and bottom bars and spaced apart for insertion of display cards between the rail bars into the top and bottom bar channels, said rail bars having sliding surfaces extending outwardly beyond the outer surfaces of the top and bottom bars and on which the frames ride in the display device.

5. A slidable display card frame for use in a rotatable automatically changing sign display device including parallel upper and lower channeled bars, a pair of side rails connecting the upper and lower bars, each rail including front and rear channeled bars secured at their ends to the top and bottom bars and spaced apart for insertion of display cards between the rail bars into the top and bottom bar channels, the securing means for the rail bars including a tongue at each end adapted to pass through a side wall of a channel bar, and adjacent shoulders adapted to be drawn against the inner bottom wall of the channel bar when the tongue is turned over the outer face of the channel bar to form a rigid frame.

6. A display device comprising a casing, means for supporting the casing to rotate bodily on a relatively fixed axis, means for causing said casing to rotate, display signs and a clock carried by said casing, one of said signs and the face of the clock being visible, said signs being automatically shifted by gravity to bring different ones into view as said casing is rotated, and said clock including gravity means responsive to the rotation of said casing for driving said clock.

'7. An automatically changing sign display device comprising a flat rectangular casing, means for rotatably mounting said casing on a horizon- 5 tal axis extending the flat way of the casing, a motor for continuously rotating the casing, an odd numbered plurality of rectangular sign display frames mounted in the casing and slidably movable from one end to the other as the casing is Q posite faces of the casing for displaying the frames as they are successively shifted, said casing having channels carried on the two opposite vertical side walls thereof for slidingly supporting the display frames and of a width to prevent contact between the display frames and the inner walls of the casing.

8. An automatically changing sign display device comprising a flat rectangular casing, means for rotatably mounting said casing on a horizontal axis extending the flat way of the casing, a motor for continuously rotating the casing, an odd numbered plurality of rectangular si n display frames mounted in the casing and slidably movable from one end to the other as the casing is rotated, a stop bar parallel to the axis of rotation positioned centrally of the casing and of a thickness to permit passing of only a single frame from one end of the casing to the other as it is rotated, whereby as the bottom and top ends are reversed by rotation of the casing, one of the frames in the rising end will shift over into the other end as it now rotates toward the bottom, such shifting being successively effected for each half revolution of the casing, and openings in opposite faces of the casing for displaying the frames as they are successively shifted, said display frames having upper and lower bars connected by a pair of side rails, each of the latter having frontwardly and rearwardly extending a frame shifts from one end of the casing to the other, and also adapted to contact with an adjacent fall,- so as to maintain a display sign carried in the frame free of rubbing contact with other parts- 9; An automatically changing sign displaydevice comprising a flat rectangular casing, 'a shaft extending through andbeyond said casing, means for rotatablymounting said casing on said shaft,

a motor for continuously rotating the casing, an odd numberedplurality of rectangular sign dis play frames mounted in the casing and slidably moving from one end to the'other of the casing as it is rotated, said shaft comprising a stop bar pcsitloned centrally of the casing and being of a thickness to permit passing of only a single frame from oneend of the'casing to'the other as the casing is rotated, whereby as 'the bottoin andtop ends are reversed by rotation of the "casing, one of the frames in the rising end will shift over into the other end as it now rotates toward' the bottom, such shifting being successively effected for each half revolution of the casing, and openings in opposite faces of the casing for displaying the irames'as they are successively shifted, said display' frames having upperand lower bars connected by a pairof side rails, each of the latter having frontwardly' and -rearwardly extending sliding surfaces adapted to ride overthe stop bar as a frame shifts from one end of'th'e casing to the other,-and also adapted to contact with an adjacent rail, so as to maintain a display sign carried in the frame free of rubbing contactwith other parts;

A slidable" display card frame foruse in a rotatable automatically changing sign display device-includingparallel 'upper and lower channeled bars, a pair of side rails connectingthe upper and lower: bars, each railincluding front and members secured at their ends to the top and bottom bars and spaced'apart for insertion of display cards between the rail bars into the top and bottom bar channels, said rail bars havtor for rotating the casing, an odd numbered sliding surfaces adapted to'ride over the stop bar plurality of sign display frames mounted in the casing and slidably movable from one end to the other as the casing is rotated, means positioned centrally of the casing and of a size to permit passing of only a single frame from one end of the casing to the other as it is rotated, whereby as the bottom and top ends are reversed by rotation of the casing, one of the frames in the rising end will shift over into the other end as it new rotates toward the bottom, such shifting being successively effected for each half revolution of the casing, and an opening in the casing for displaying the frames as they are successively shifted, said casing having channels carried on the two opposite vertical side wallsthereof for slidingly supporting ti -e displayframes and of a width to prevent contact between the display frames tract the inner walls of thecasing.

12. An automatically changing sign display device comprising a casing, means for rotatably mounting said casingon a horizontal axis, a motor for rotating the casing, an odd numbered plurality of sign display frames mounted in the casing and slidably movable from one end to the other as-the casing is rotated, means positioned centrally of the casing and of a size to permit passing of only a single frame from one end of 'the'casing tothe other as it is rotated, whereby as the bottoin'and top ends are reversed by ro- "tation of the'casing, one of the frames in the rising end will shift over into the' other end as it now rotates toward the bottom, such shifting being successively effected for each half revolution of the casing,- and an opening in the casing for displaying the frames as they are successively shifted, said display frames having upper and lower connected by a pair of side rails, each of the latter having frontwardly and rearwardly extending sliding surfaces adapted to ride over stop-bar as a frame shifts from one end of the casingito the other, and also adapted to contact with an adjacent rail, so as to maintain a display carried inthe frame free of rubbing contact with other parts.

10. A' displaydevice comprising a casing for rying and-separately displaying a plurality of display signs, means for supporting the casing and causing it torctate bodily on a relatively f xed axis, aclock associatedwvith'said casing,

and mechanism for driving the clock operated by rotation of the casing on said axis. GEORGE WILLENS. 

